NEW YORK, Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The Digital Diversity Network (DDN), a new, national trade association focused on advancing diversity in leadership and ownership in the digital media and hi-tech industries has announced the speakers for its highly anticipated "Cloud Gathering" Conference: Connecting DiverseTalent to the Hi-Tech Economy, to be held at The New York Times Conference Center in Manhattan on November 14.

This inaugural DDN event, targeted to everyone interested in influencing diversity in the hi-tech sector, comprises a highly diverse assembly of industry experts. Corporate executives, entrepreneurs, inventors and financiers will share strategies and tactics for professional breakthroughs, business growth and development from across a broad spectrum of mobile, digital, social and hi-tech entities.

Sheldon Gilbert, Founder and CEO of Proclivity Systems will be interviewed in a one-on-one "Tech Talk" during lunch. This is the first in a monthly series of DDN "Tech Talks" designed to showcase diverse talent and career opportunities in the digital and hi-tech sectors.The 36-year-old Gilbert has been deemed one of CNBC's "Top 10 Titans of Tomorrow" and his e-commerce analytics company helps global retailers figure out fashion trends and consumer preferences to determine the clothing and home goods customers want to buy before customers actually do. His clients—including Barneys New York - saw online sales increase by as much as 30% after utilizing his company's offerings.

"This conference was created to meet the growing demand for thought leadership and action around the issue of diversity in the digital space", says DDN Board Chair Tracy Lawrence, a Los Angeles-based leadership consultant and executive recruiter in the industry. "We are very excited by how our message is resonating with leaders in the field and their willingness to share their expertise with our members during our first symposium."

The Cloud Gathering Conference is hosted in partnership with News Corporation, The New York Times, Time Warner Inc., and Warner Bros.Entertainment, Inc. Conference sponsors include Comcast/NBCUniversal, Pitney Bowes, Bloomberg, The Walter Kaitz Foundation and the Minority Media andTelecom Council (MMTC).

DDN plans to roll out a number of programs in the coming year that address the needs of sponsoring companies, entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders. These include customized recruiting programs; leadership development; building the diverse talent pipeline by encouraging students and young professionals to enter the industry; and sponsoring national events to facilitate and promote thought leadership. Plans are underway to host events in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley in early 2013.

Visit www.dddno.org/events to register for the Cloud Gathering Conference. Pre-registration is required and open until November 7. The conference begins at 9:00 a.m. with registration and continental breakfast opening at 8 a.m. Conference registration includes a complimentary one-year DDN membership. For more information about conference sponsorships or membership call (646) 202-2643. You may follow the conference on Twitter using #DigitalDiversityNet.

ABOUT DDN

The Digital Diversity Network (DDN) is a 21st Century trade association founded in 2012 to advance diversity in leadership and ownership within the digital media and hi-tech sectors. With a specific emphasis on recruitment, leadership development and pipeline expansion, the DDN works to ensure that the hi-tech producer/earner economy mirrors the demographics of key consumer/user groups. While primarily an on-line community, the DDN will engage members and sponsoring companies through high-level leadership forums, on-line education, social media and networking events. www.ddno.org.